City Councilor Rob Consalvo declares his candidacy for mayor of Boston; others bowing out

Boston City Councilor Rob Consalvo today formally entered the race to succeed Mayor Thomas M. Menino, while another member of the body, Tito Jackson, announced he would seek reelection to his current job and not run for mayor.

This afternoon, James E. Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, said he will not be a candidate.

Jackson, a Grove Hall resident who represents Roxbury, parts of Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, the South End and the Fenway, said in a press release that his work in his district “is not finished.”

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Jackson said he wanted to work to on Dudley Square’s cultural and economic development.

“I will not put my name forward to be considered for Mayor of Boston in 2013,” Jackson said in his statement, adding, “The future is bright for Boston, from Dudley Square to Maverick Square to Kenmore Square and all the places in between. I look forward to the working with the next Mayor to make Boston better than it is today.”

Earlier today, Consalvo, a Hyde Park resident, said his 11 years on the council has prepared him to become the city’s chief executive officer.

“I am running for mayor because I love the City of Boston and I am prepared and ready to serve all of our neighborhoods. I have a proven record of innovation, leadership, compassion, and a strong commitment to public service,” Consalvo said in the statement. “Boston is a great city. But there are ways to make it even greater and to make sure everyone in it benefits from that greatness – and that is what I want to do,’’ he added.

Consalvo joins a rapidly building field of major candidates, which currently includes Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley, Dorchester state Representative Martin Walsh, and Boston City Councilor John R. Connolly of West Roxbury. Will Dorcena and Charles Clemons have also declared they are candidates for mayor.

In his statement, Rooney said he made his choice after extensive discussions with supporters.

“After much thought and discussions with family, friends, and supporters, I have decided not to run for mayor of the City of Boston,’’ Rooney said. “I wish all the candidates a well-run campaign and look forward to working with the new mayor to take Boston to even greater heights.”